Standardisation and practical application of selfcompacting concrete in Germany: Fid-Bau Portal

Standardisation and practical application of selfcompacting concrete in Germany

Lichtmann, Michael / Uebachs, Stephan

For seven years, self-compacting concrete (SCC) with a national technical approval can be applied in Germany. Self-compacting concretes do not comply with the German standards (DIN EN 206-1 and DIN 1045-2) due to their consistency and, depending on the composition, due to the limitation of the powder content. In December 2004, the guideline 'Self- Compacting Concrete' of the Deutscher Ausschuss für Stahlbeton (DAfStb) (German commission for reinforced concrete) was introduced as a national technical regulation thus enabling the manufacturing and application of SCC without a national technical approval. Within the framework of this paper, a survey is given regarding the state of the art of the regulations at the application of SCC in Germany. Here, a great importance is attached to the required fresh concrete tests and properties. The test methods for fresh concrete applied in Germany are discussed with regards to their possible suitability for the European test standard of SCC which is presently in preparation. In addition, there is a report on a practice-oriented test method to determine the optimum water content for SCC. To give a survey of the application of SCC in Germany, finally definite examples are presented concerning the use of SCC in a precast element plant as well as the application as ready-mixed concrete.